So you bought the new SW22 Victory and, if you're like the growing number of owners out there, you've realized it's a great gun for rimfire competition shooting, easy to clean and reassemble and great for beginners. You've likely also found a few SW22 Victory upgrades you'd like to add to your firearm. But how can you improve your Smith and Wesson .22 Victory without breaking the bank?

If you're interested in learning more about the best SW22 Victory upgrades, removing the magazine disconnect is one of the simplest updates around. It won't cost you a penny, and you'll be done in less than 5 minutes!

In this blog post, you'll find step-by-step instructions from Team TANDEMKROSS sponsored shooter Brian Lawson (lawson11b on Instagram and YouTube) to help you remove your SW22 Victory magazine disconnect. You'll also find a link to our full YouTube video of the process, plus a thorough demonstration of proper SW22 maintenance and reassembly. Following these instructions, you'll find links to our best blog posts about the Smith and Wesson Victory, information about our SW22 forum and links to our best SW22 Victory accessories.

You might be asking, “Why should I remove the magazine disconnect?” There are a few simple reasons.

At the most basic level, removing the magazine disconnect allows the user to fire any chambered bullets even when there is no magazine in the firearm.

Removing the magazine disconnect can actually improve firearm safety by making the trigger function the same way regardless of the magazine condition. This can help ensure the user remembers to keep their finger off the trigger unless ready to shoot, and can help prevent an unexpected trigger pull by inserting a magazine with a finger on the trigger.

In some cases, removing the magazine disconnect safety can also improve the trigger pull of your firearm.

If you’re ready to remove your SW22 magazine disconnect, read on for simple instructions. You can click on any of the images below to jump that specific point in the instructional video. You can watch the full video- which also features Brian’s best tips to clean and reassemble your SW22 Victory pistol- on the TANDEMKROSS YouTube channel.

Step 1: Remove the right side of the SW22 Victory grips using an allen wrench. Once the grip is removed you should clearly see the magazine disconnect rod and spring inside the handle.

Step 2: To remove the rod, first use a thin punch, dental pick or similar tool to release the tension on the disconnect spring, pushing the spring down toward the base of the gun.

This will release the spring’s tension and the bottom of the magazine disconnect rod should pop out at the bottom of the firearm. If needed, use the same tool to push the disconnect rod up and out of its channel.

Step 3: Once the disconnect rod is released, look into the top of the open gun frame, where you’ll see the hooked end of the disconnect bar resting on the trigger bar. Carefully twist the magazine disconnect bar until it lets go of the trigger bar, turning the rod about 180 degrees so that the hooked end is now facing out of the gun frame. There may be some tension while you’re twisting the rod, but not enough to damage your firearm.

Step 4: Start slowing working the bar down and out of the gun frame. Work slowly to ensure you don’t move the trigger bar out of place. Once the disconnect rod is free, we recommended saving it in case the magazine disconnect ever needs to be reinstalled.

Step 5: Simply put your right-side grip back onto the frame and test the trigger. It should now fire without a magazine.

Step 6: Enjoy easier shooting with your SW22 Victory!*

To watch the full video of Brian Lawson removing the SW22 Victory magazine disconnect,click here to watch our YouTube video. The magazine disconnect removal is done in the first five minutes of the video. Keep watching the rest of the video to learn how to take down and clean your SW22 Victory, and how to reassemble your SW22 Victory with a TANDEMKROSS “halo” Charging Ring installed.

Interested in learning more about the SW22 Victory? Read one of our other blog posts about this popular Smith & Wesson .22lr pistol.

Click hereto read our interview with Robert Richardson, founder of a popular SW22 Victory Facebook group, and explore his thoughts on the SW22 platform, his picks for the best SW22 accessories and the SW22 parts he’d like to see in the future.

Click here to read our interview with Jack Sowell, founder of a popular SW22 Victory Facebook group, and learn more about why he chooses to shoot an SW22, his favorite TANDEMKROSS SW22 Victory parts and the SW22 Victory accessories he’s been dreaming about.

Click here to read our latest newsletter, which focused on all things SW22 Victory. Learn more about our top parts for SW22, read a personal story from TANDEMKROSS Marketing Assistant Danielle Gagnon about her first time using a Smith and Wesson Victory and read customer SW22 Victory reviews.

Don’t let your SW22 research stop there. Learn more about the TANDEMKROSS “halo” Charging Ring and “Game Changer” Compensator for SW22 on YouTube.

Looking for ways to connect with other SW22 Victory owners? Check out a SW22 Facebook group to connect with other users, get advice on SW22 issues and hear what others have to say about the best SW22 parts and accessories.

You can also visit TANDEMKROSS’ own TaK Driver forum. With thousands of active users and forums on topics ranging from Ruger 22/45, SW22 Victory, Browning Buck Mark and more, TaKDriver.com is a great place to ask questions you may have about your Smith and Wesson .22lr.

Ruger®, 10/22®, SR22®, 22/45®, LCP®, Mark III® and Mark II® are registered trademarks of Ruger Corporation. TANDEMKROSS is not affiliated with Ruger® and is independently owned and operated. KelTec is a registered trademark of KelTec corporation. Smith and Wesson® and SW22® are registered trademarks of Smith and Wesson.All third-party brands and trademarks belong to their respective owners.